About Therapy
Seeking therapy promotes positive change.
After a few sessions, I often notice a change in your body language and facial expression when you come into the office.
Even though we may have just started our work, you can be comforted by the understanding that we are here to address your challenges with optimism and a proactive approach.
Week by week, when you engage during sessions and use the tools you have gained from therapy in your daily life, minor changes will accumulate into a transformation.
Life presents new challenges unexpectedly, and you will have your “ups and downs” throughout treatment. However, what consistently improves is your ability to understand your thought patterns, cope with emotions, and feel more empowered to find solutions.
Beginning therapy can be a daunting experience.
Opening up and being vulnerable in a new setting is not always easy, especially when the outcome of treatment is not guaranteed.
However, I want you to know that you will be received with warmth and openness.
We will strive to accomplish your goals with confidence, resourcefulness, persistence, and evidence-based approaches.
About Alexander Nelson, LAC, MC
I love being a therapist.
I have played quite a few prior roles in my life, from experiencing the lifestyle of a professional musician, laboring in construction and commercial kitchens, and working on the seas as a commercial fisherman, to spending time in solitude for extended training and meditation practice.
These experiences have helped clarify my values, and I have found that people are what matter most to me. My journey to becoming a therapist started when I began deeply contemplating my values and what I wanted my life to be about. My top priority is facilitating positive change.
Studying psychology and the human mind is genuinely exciting and engaging for me. These aspects, combined with my easy-going personality and ability to connect with people, helped me determine that I am an excellent fit for this position.
Because of these interests, I received my undergraduate and Master’s level training at Arizona State University and graduated with distinction. I also worked in entry-level positions at inpatient behavioral health hospitals during my academic education. I am so thankful to my professors and teachers, who have shared valuable knowledge and experience. The courage and strength of my clients inspire me.
Therapy is also necessary for therapists.
To be an effective therapist, having the ability to maintain one’s mental health is essential.
Experiencing the effects of trauma and having a genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder and alcoholism, I faced challenges and had to develop practical coping skills and methods. I continue to work on myself and grow.
Attending therapy and staying on my self-development path with discipline, months turned into years, and years into over a decade, and with this, I began to feel confident that I could be of benefit to others.
My therapeutic approach is collaborative and individualized.
No two clients are alike. Therefore, I strive to meet each client’s specific needs.
With attentiveness, I cultivate a warm and validating space for you to feel comfortable while engaging in treatment. Having your benefit in mind, I will respectfully and considerately address contradictions or unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors I may notice.
In practice, I utilize trauma-based approaches, traditional psychotherapeutic approaches, mindfulness/meditation skill building, and client-centered emotional attunement to help clients heal and grow.
Activities keep me busy outside the office.
I love playing the guitar and other musical instruments when I am out of the office.
I connect to the outdoors on hikes and always look for a new restaurant to try.
I diligently maintain training my mind with daily mindfulness/meditation practice and maintain my physical health through exercise.
